If you’re looking to take a dip in the ocean this week, you might want to reconsider.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health on Monday announced that beachgoers should avoid all water contact until at least 7 a.m. Wednesday.
As they often do, the recent rains have created the potential for bay and ocean waters to “be contaminated with bacteria, chemicals, debris, trash, and other public health hazards from city streets and mountain areas,” DPH said in a news release.
That’s especially true “near discharging storm drains, creeks, and rivers” and “includes any runoff that may flow onto or pond on the beach sand,” Public Health officials said.
Post-rain advisories are in place until 72 hours after the storms end, meaning this advisory remains in effect until at least 7 a.m. Wednesday, though more rain would delay it further.
For information on county beaches, call 1-800-525-5662 or visit PublicHealth.LACounty.gov/Beach.